When We Lend Something We Pay Attention

When we lend something we pay attention to who we are lending it to especially items of value such as books or money. All of us would prefer to lend to only those we trust. Maybe this is the way God feels too, but because He loves each of so much, He allows us to borrow from Him although it is often likely we will make mistakes. Because of the wisdom of God, He knows we learn and remember best from experience.

Scriptures to help us understand we borrow everything from God but our will

21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

25 And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you. Mosiah 2: 21, 25

It is humbling to understand even the air we breathe and the substance we come from is granted through the grace of God. We only have one thing to give to God that doesn’t already belong to Him which is our WILL.

Borrowing system

I believe we borrow from God until we become perfect like God. The following Bible and BoM scriptures explain that the ultimate goal is perfection. This seems out of reach but the work of becoming like God will continue after we leave this earthly existence.

After Christ’s resurrection, He taught the Nephites on the American continent:

Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I or your Father who is in heaven is perfect 3 Nephi 12:48

He taught the same thing to His followers prior to his resurrection.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

I believe becoming like God is a patient process created by a patient God who focuses on a wonderful end result rather than a speedy arrival with a less than perfect end result.

When we lend something we pay attention

Since God lends us everything, it is logical, He is paying close attention to us, the borrowers. If God is paying close attention to us, He must know us. In fact, I believe it is through this lending and borrowing system between God and man that God knows each of us intimately and individually.

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Moses 1:39

Conclusion

Photo by Jez Timms

God has been through this borrowing and lending process which gives us confidence He knows what He is doing. Just like when we lend something we pay attention, we can be assured God is paying very close attention when He allows us to borrow everything from Him. The scriptures tell us God is love which means He has our best interests in mind.